Bridges on Proverbs 14:13
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 14:13
 
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13.  Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
 
Many a sigh is heaved amid the loud laughter of folly. (Esther 5:9-13.) As soon might true joy be found in hell, as in the carnal heart. As soon might we “gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles,” as this “fruit of the Spirit” (Matthew 7:16.) from ‘nature's barren soil.’ As soon might the tempest-tossed ocean be at rest, as the sinner's conscience. (Isaiah 57:20, 21.) He may feast in his prison, or dance in his chains. He may drink away his trouble. But it is a vain show of happiness. Ask him what is in his bosom. Is not his smile a counterfeit to hide a reality of woe? The voice of conscience and experience will make itself heard ” “It is mad ” what doeth it?” (Ecclesiastes 2:2.) If he has found a diversion from present trouble, has he found a cover from everlasting misery? It is far easier to drown conviction, than to escape damnation. And to be merry for a day, and to be in torment for eternity ” who would envy ” who would not flee from ” such a portion?
Nor do we speak only of the coarse mirth of the vulgar. Take the fullest cup of earth's best joys. What is this to satisfy desire, to allay trouble, to meet eternity? Even the present end of this short-lived mirth is heaviness (Amos 6:3-7); sometimes so intolerable that death is fled to as the cure of the anguish; and to avoid the fear of hell the wretched sinner leaps into it. (Matthew 27:3-5.) And at best eternity will change the face of this mirth, when that will remain which would be the most desirable riddance ” the sting of conscience, as enduring as the pleasures of sin were momentary. (Luke 6:24; 16:21-24. Romans 6:21.)
But the end of that mirth implies another mirth with a different end. Contrast the prodigal's mirth in the far country, with his return to his father's house, when “they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:13-24.) The fruit of carnal mirth ends in heaviness. Penitential sorrow begets a mirth that ends in everlasting joy. (Psalm 126:5, 6. Isaiah 35:10.) Lord! choose mine inheritance for me among thy weeping people.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Esther 5:9-13
9 ¶ Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. {called...: Heb. caused to come} 11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
 
 
Matthew 7:16
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
 
 
Isaiah 57:20, 21
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. 21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
 
 
Ecclesiastes 2:2
2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
 
 
Amos 6:3-7
3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; {seat: or, habitation} 4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; {stretch...: or, abound with superfluities} 5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; {chant: or, quaver} 6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. {wine...: or, in bowls of wine} {affliction: Heb. breach} 7 Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.
 
 
Matthew 27:3-5
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
 
 
Luke 6:24
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
 
Luke 16:21-24
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
 
Romans 6:21
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
 
 
Luke 15:13-24
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
 
 
Psalm 126:5, 6
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. {joy: or, singing} 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. {precious...: or, seed basket}
 
Isaiah 35:10
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.